Thursday after the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on October 12, 2023 by under
Scripture: 3 John 2-8 (NKJV)
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
Devotion
St. John’s third epistle compares two people: Gaius, who walks in the truth, and does whatever is necessary for the brethren and strangers; and Diotrephes, who seeks only preeminence in the Church, but does not receive the preachers of the Word of God. This reading also hearkens back to Sunday’s Gospel reading. Our Lord Jesus answered the Pharisees that the second great commandment was to love our neighbors as ourselves. According to St. John’s third epistle, Gaius (and Demetrius who is mentioned later in the epistle) clearly does this, while Diotrephes does not.
While the kindness of Gaius to his fellowman is commendable, St. John’s praise is really centered on what that kindness does. It opens up the way for all to hear the preaching of the Gospel. Both brethren and strangers were able to hear of the good works that the Lord Jesus had done for them. His kindness was really a fruit of the Spirit which dwelled within him. He willingly opened up his home so that all who gathered there might benefit from the preaching of the Word of God. His kindness led to the enlightenment of all those who heard the Word of God and believed on the Lord Jesus. Gaius sets a good example for us all. May we all not hinder the word like Diotrephes, who sought only after the vainglories of this world, but freely welcome both brethren and strangers to hear about the Christ.
Prayer: O God, forasmuch as without Thee we are not able to please Thee: Mercifully grant, that Thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
